Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-08-2005, 01:55 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2
420 SEL will not start, does not crank

1990 420 SEL (Automatic) will not start, does not crank at all either.
I put it in neutral and tried to start it, it works. I was able to start it from Park without a problem for the next few days.

Then it would'nt start again, I'll put in neutral and allow it to roll a bit, then put it back in park and start, it works.

since yesterday the car doesn't start at all, whatever I do does'nt seem to work, could it be the starter or the crank.

Battery is good, gas pump is good, checked all the fuses. I'm just stuck.

would appreciate any help or tips.

Thanks

Sarjoun

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-08-2005, 02:33 PM
bhatt's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 421
Neutral safety switch

Sounds like the neutral safety switch. This switch prevents the engine from starting in any gear other than Park or Neutral.

When they fail, you get two symptoms: 1)Car doesn't make a noise when you try to crank it. Eveything lights up, but the car won't crank. You shouldn't hear the engine turn over at all. 2)Car only starts in Neutral but won't start in Park.

Note that #2 doens't always apply. In my case, I didn't think it was the NSS at first, since it wouldn't start in Park OR Neutral. Turned out to be the switch anyhow.

It's on the transmission. Try tapping it while someone cranks the engine to see if it starts to crank. You can also bridge the connections and bypass it temporarily.

Neal
__________________
'83 300SD 335,000km (207k) mi SOLD
'87 560SL 163,000km (101k mi) SOLD
'86 300SDL 356,000km (220k mi) SOLD
'92 500SEL 250,000km (155k mi) SOLD
'90 300SL 140,000km (87k mi) SOLD
'01 S430 260,000km (161k mi) SOLD
'03 SL500 167,000km (104k mi) SOLD
'07 S550 4MATIC 235,000km (146k mi) SOLD
'07 GL320 CDI 4MATIC 348,000km (215k mi)
'13 GL350 BlueTec 4MATIC 170,000km (105k mi)
'14 SL550 72,000km (43k mi)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-08-2005, 03:57 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2
Thanks for the tip Neal, but where would I find the neutral safety switch.

Thanks
Sarjoun
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-08-2005, 04:26 PM
bhatt's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 421
I'm going from memory here but I'll try....

It's on the transmission and has four or five coming out of it. I believe it's on the side of the transmission.. perhaps you can do a search on this site -- I'm sure there is a post describing it.

It should look something like this:



Neal

__________________
'83 300SD 335,000km (207k) mi SOLD
'87 560SL 163,000km (101k mi) SOLD
'86 300SDL 356,000km (220k mi) SOLD
'92 500SEL 250,000km (155k mi) SOLD
'90 300SL 140,000km (87k mi) SOLD
'01 S430 260,000km (161k mi) SOLD
'03 SL500 167,000km (104k mi) SOLD
'07 S550 4MATIC 235,000km (146k mi) SOLD
'07 GL320 CDI 4MATIC 348,000km (215k mi)
'13 GL350 BlueTec 4MATIC 170,000km (105k mi)
'14 SL550 72,000km (43k mi)
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
1990 420 SEL 82k miles Botnst Featured Cars 4 09-13-2003 09:17 PM
Saw a 420 SEL for sale... Botnst Featured Cars 9 08-29-2003 07:40 PM
420 SEL won't start RichardC Tech Help 1 07-22-2002 08:21 AM
Just bought a 86 420 SEL, what to expect? Mateo Tech Help 4 11-01-2001 03:46 PM
88' 420 SEL won't start Jim Collins Tech Help 2 07-15-1999 10:09 PM



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:33 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page